A Happy Holiday Idea: Hot Dr. Pepper (1965)

Bright as a holiday songfest? Warm and wonderful as a crackling fire? That does sound like a Happy Holiday Idea! via ClickAmericana.com

Earlier this month I featured this 1965 Dr. Pepper advertisement on the Facebook page. It garnered a lot of attention; there were a lot of ‘likes’ and a lot of varying opinions about whether Hot Dr. Pepper was delicious or disgusting. It apparently was a thing in the 60s.

Here are some sample comments:

Shari said, “It’s really good. Especially with the lemon slice. We used to drink this all the time in the winter.”

Carole said, “My boyfriend only drinks diet Dr. Pepper. Last year he had the flu and wanted a hot drink but doesn’t drink tea or coffee. So he looked online and found hot Dr. Pepper. I made him some. He almost swore off Dr. Pepper for life. I didn’t have the courage to try it.”

Kelly said, “Adding bourbon makes Dr. Pepper taste like prune juice.”

Cindy said, “They used to serve this at the football games where we lived in north Florida. I was only 4 or 5, but I remember liking it!”

Teri said, “I can recall shopping one Saturday in the late 70’s with my mom when I was offered a Hot Dr. Pepper. I drank the sample cup and then blew massive chunks right there in the store. Try at your own risk.”

That story settled it. I had to make it!

I decided to use the ladies at my office as guinea pigs and see what their feelings were on this mid-60’s advertising gem. So I brought in a bottle of Dr. Pepper (regular), some lemon slices, and my slow cooker.

Next time I do this, I will bring in honest-to-god comment cards; but here are their thoughts on Hot Dr. Pepper (thankfully no one tossed their cookies):

When is hot soda EVER a good idea? Lukewarm soda on a cold day is barely tolerable, but heating up Dr. Pepper? While I love Dr. Pepper (well, diet Dr. Pepper), the thought of drinking any version hot is…not pleasant.

The Dr. Pepper museum in Waco, Texas, was a treat. The gift shop/snack bar served this, but I had tried (and liked) it in the 1960s. I did buy the Dr. Pepper cookbook. The BBQ sauce sounds like it could work.

Well, I was around in the 60’s, but I don’t remember drinking any of this! I do remember it being advertised though. My family drank Coke or RC Cola, whichever was on sale. Mom would get 7Up when we were sick though, always tasted pretty good. Diet drinks are worse hot than regular sodas, something about the artificial sweetning changing everything.